Short Summary

The Austrian troops attached to the United Nations Disengagement Observation Force (UNDDF) are now the only remaining neutral soldiers on the Golan Heights.

Description

The Austrian troops attached to the United Nations Disengagement Observation Force (UNDDF) are now the only remaining neutral soldiers on the Golan Heights. They are stationed on the Syrian side of ceasefire line. Until Friday (18 July) 350 Peruvian troops of UNDDF were on the Israeli side.

Originally the Peruvians were to have been on the Heights for six months. This period was extended to a year, but then their Government recalled them. No nation is willing to take their place.

The Austrian troops will now carry out watches on ceasefire infringements.

The Peruvian troops pulled back to kuneitra and from there were taken to Damscus airport for a flight back to Peru.

SYNOPSIS: The 350 peruvian soldiers attached to the United Nations Disengagement Observation Force on the Golan Heights, began the long journey back home on Friday. Most of the troops have been on the israeli side of the Golan Heights for a year.

Their departure probably won't have must effect on the number of incidents along the front line between Israel and Syria. The soldiers were only there to observe infringements of the disengagement agreement and report them.....they could take no action. Originally their four of duty was to last six months... but this was extended to a year. No nation has been found willing to take over the duty so the Austrian forces on the Syrian side of the Heights will be the only U.N. force in the area.

The Peruvian troops left their camp site......named Camp Bolivar.....and marched to Kuneitra. They passed through Israeli checkpoints and then into Syria. They were taken by bus to Damascus airport for the long journey home. The Austrian contingent will take up more observation posts along the ceasefire line to make up for the departure of the South American troops.

Israeli agricultural settlements, set up on the occupied Golan Heights, have suffered serious damage from the Syrian shelling, returned by the Israelis, which began on the 23rd of June and continued for several days.